Rolling Ability Scores

Now that you know what the ability scores mean, let's see how to generate ability scores for your character

The six ability scores are determined randomly by rolling 3 six-sided dice to obtain a score from 3 to 18. There are several methods for rolling up these scores.

Method I: Roll three six-sided dice (3d6) six times, and assign the six numbers to the character's abilities however you want. Distribute an additional 12 points amongst the abilities, with no one ability getting more than 4 points. No ability can be raised above 18.

Method II: Roll 3d6 twelve times and jot down all twelve totals. Choose six of these rolls (generally the six best rolls) and assign them to your character's abilities however you want.

Method III: Roll four six-sided dice (4d6). Discard the lowest die and total the remaining three. Repeat this five more times, then assign the six numbers to the character's abilities however you want.

Method IV: Each ability starts with a score of 8. Then roll seven dice. These dice can be added to your character's abilities as you wish. All the points on a die must be added to the same ability score. For example, if a 6 is rolled on one die, all 6 points must be assigned to one ability. You can add as many dice as you want to any ability, but no ability score can exceed 18 points. If you cannot make an 18 by exact count on the dice, you cannot have an 18 score.

When arranging your rolled scores, keep in mind the Class Requirements for ability scores, and the racial adjustments you'll be making after choosing a race. Once you've rolled your starting scores arranged them, you will adjust them according to the Racial Abilities Adjustments table.

Class Ability Score Requirements

Each of the character classes has minimum scores in various abilities. A character must satisfy these minimums to be of that class.

 

Racial Ability Score Requirements

Each of the character races also have minimum (and maximum) scores in various abilities. A character must satisfy these minimums to be of that class.

Consult the Racial Ability Requirements before making any racial adjustments in the Racial Ability Adjustments table to your character's ability scores. If the basic scores that you rolled up meet the requirements for a particular race, your character can be of that race, even if later modifications change the ability scores so they exceed the maximums or don't meet the minimums.

Make the adjustments on the Racial Ability Adjustments table after satisfying the requirements on the Racial Ability Requirements table above.

If your character's scores are too low to belong to the class that you've chosen, you may raise any score 1 point by lowering another by 2 points, or by lowering 2 others by 1 point.